Foreplay Radio – Couples and Sex Therapy

In today's episode, we are discussing how to forgive what hasn't been. Fights are more obvious times to work on forgiveness but what about the missed bids for connection and absence of touch? Join our hosts as they share how to have healing conversations about the lost connection. Laurie and George relay that this experience is grief and a deep pain that needs to be shared in partnership. Often a conversation like this may activate the negative cycle as the hurt partner might fear further rejection and begin by criticizing. Their advice is to get into the pain and begin to ask your partner for their help to heal. As the listener, sex might have been off the table for a variety of reasons and you may notice a defensive reaction. George shares something that works in his relationship, to take a pause and keep the focus on his partner. Healing is sequential and can't happen all at once. Slow and steady, remaining focused on one partner's pain can shift a couple into forgiveness as resentment from missed moments is heard, seen and cared for. What has been missing from your relationship that has caused you pain? Today's episode will help you and your partner get started on the path to forgiveness. Support the pod by supporting this episode's sponsor!Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Adam and Laurie discuss the complicated relationship between sex and depression in both men and women. They discuss symptoms and how to stay connected when your relationship is impacted by this all too common mental health issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your sex life feeling a bit bland? Dive into playful kink with tips to spice things up! Explore the importance of consent and open communication while trying out suggestive texts or role reversal. Discover the thrill of power dynamics and how surrendering control can enhance intimacy. Get creative with ideas like sensory play and dirty talk to break societal norms and foster connection. It’s all about having fun and embracing adventure together!

Contempt, one of the most dangerous emotions in a relationship. This episode covers the markers of contemptuous behavior and why it's so destructive to a marriage. Laurie and Dr. Adam offer advice on recognizing this powerful emotion and how to bring the humanity back into your relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are all deserving of touch. It awakens the senses, provides comfort, reassurance and then as adults pleasure. In today's episode, our hosts open up a conversation about your relationship with touch. Did you grow up in a household where physical affection was withheld, conditional, unsafe or just not available? If so, you may be suffering from touch neglect. This can show up in the sexual cycle as anxiety, discomfort or full on avoidance at even the thought of touch. This episode will help you understand the power or touch, how neglect shows up in adult relationships and how to begin a safe conversation with your partner describing your needs. And yes, we ALL have needs related to touch! The great news also, is that with safety, and vulnerability these needs can be expressed in your adult relationships and you can begin to feel more comfort around touch and go from neglected needs to needs met. You deserve it! Please support this episode's sponsor (and help the pod!):Addyi.com -- the only FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Laurie and George discuss insights from Daniel Watter’s book, The Existential Importance of the Penis: A Guide to Understanding Male Sexuality. They explore sexual disorders like low desire, erectile dysfunction, and vaginismus—not just as issues but as signals from our bodies about anxiety, relationship challenges, or life transitions, like becoming parents. Enjoy this thought-provoking episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we are spending time focusing on when it goes well. As therapists we look for these 'glimmers' as a way to retrain the brain and body to focus on progress, not just the problem. It's common for couples to get bogged down by what doesn't go well. This is the brain's way to keep you safe and protected but it also makes it hard to let progress take hold. Join Laurie and George today in this great conversation focused on glimmers of eroticism in your relationship. There are two great ways to hone in on glimmers. One is to recall past positive sexual experiences in the relationship. The other is to dig below the surface of the complaint and listen to the request being made. Is your partner giving you the clues for a glimmer that you might be missing? More glimmers help us feel more hopeful and united against the negative cycle. Take a moment today to look back at your past week and explore what went well in your sexual relationship. Even the slightest change is worth noting and sharing with your love. Keep it hot y'all!Check out this episodes sponsors (and help the pod!)Addyi.com -- FDA-approved treatment for certain women with low libido!Uberlube.com -- Laurie's favorite personal lubricant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having kids can transform intimacy for couples, introducing unique challenges. The hosts discuss navigating changes in desire and connection while managing postpartum effects and family dynamics. They highlight the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing the marital relationship to foster a loving environment for children. Tips for nurturing intimacy beyond parenthood are also explored, emphasizing that a healthy sexual connection can thrive even amid the chaos of parenting.

Dr. Peggy Kleinplatz, a prominent sex therapist and author of "Magnificent Sex," shares her expert insights on achieving optimal sexual experiences. She discusses the vital role of communication in redefining intimacy, emphasizing that deeper connections can transform relationships. Dr. Kleinplatz also highlights how sex can improve with age, along with the importance of emotional comfort and vulnerability. Listeners learn about authenticity in intimacy and the power of nonverbal cues to enhance their sexual lives.

Masturbation can be a sensitive topic, but it has profound implications for individual and coupled sexual relationships. The discussion highlights how early experiences shape attitudes towards solo sexual practices and the importance of open communication in overcoming shame. Exploring mutual masturbation offers couples a unique way to maintain intimacy, while examining competing cultural perspectives on sexual expression. Ultimately, embracing self-exploration can enhance pleasure and deepen connection within partnerships.